Loose-leaf binder



Sept. 9, 1941. C. w. VOGT 2,255,138

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed March 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1? 63 INVENTOR 61Czr'encgllf Vega BY ATTORNEYS- Sept. 9, 1941.

c w. VOGT 2,255,138

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed March 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W I- I 5 8? 3aW98 m. "HI I:

FQ O 35 5 h 60 -21 INVENTOR 63 Clarence iZVoy 58 a? 7 i Q- ATTORNEYS p1941- c. w. VOGT 2,255,138

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed March 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR CiafelweWVoyf ATTORNEYS Sept. 9, 1941. Q w, VOGT 2,255,138

.LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed March 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 is' laai" INVTOR&

57 flak-*6 69 2 6 W 10 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 9, 1941 'UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE LOOSE -LEAF BINDER Clarence W. Vogt, Norwalk, Gonn.Application March 7, 1939, Serial No. 260,269

23 Claims.

It has been proposed to provide a loose leaf binder with two pivotallysupported opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, movable in oppositedirections across the back, to afford extra room at the inner edges ofthe loose sheets in open position of the binder. This permits the sheetsto lie flatter for easy reference, and permits said sheets to beseparated into two batches for retention on the two rows of prongs. Thisseparation allows the prongs to be angularly raised with respect to theopen covers for removal or insertion of the sheets.

One object of the present invention is to provide a loose leaf binder ofthe general type referred to, having new and improved means forconnecting the two opposed rows of prongs to insure simultaneouscorrelated swinging movement with a minimum amount of lost motionthere-between.

Another object is to provide new and improved releasable means forlocking the covers in open position, while the prongs are in raisedposition with respect to the covers, to prevent injury to the sheetsresulting from accidental closing of the covers While said prongs are inthis position.

Another object is to provide a new and improved loose leaf binder of thegeneral type referred to, which is simple in construction, comparativelyinexpensive to manufacture and reliable in operation.

Another object is to provide a loose leaf binder of this general type,having a minimum number of slidable and movable parts, whereby wear,lost motion and undesirable binding action between said parts is reducedto a minimum.

Another object is to provide a binder construction, in which theinsertion of the sheets on the angularly raised prongs is facilitated.For that purpose, the mechanism interconnecting the two opposed rows ofprongs for correlated angular movement is so constructed as to act as aguide or support for the inner edges of the loose sheets, as they arebeing impaled on said prongs.

Another object is to provide means for locking the two opposed rows ofprongs against pivotal raising movement beyond a predetermined angularposition with respect to the open covers, said locking position beingdesirably 'just beyond the position where the inner ends of the twoprong rows cease to overlap. By means of this construction, the sheetsmay be more easily transferred from one row of prongs to the other,since the inner ends of the two rows of prongs are closer together thanthey would be if these prongs were at right angles to the open cover.

Another object is to provide a binder construction of the general typereferred to, in which the hinge connections between the back, and thecovers are subjected to a minimum amount of strain resulting fromopening and closing of the covers.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following particular description, and from aninspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of one form of binder, embodying my invention,and shown with one cover in open position,

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the binder with both covers in open position,and with the sheet retaining prongs lockeda'cross the back,

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the binder with both covers in open position,and the prongs angularly raised in position to permit removal orinsertion of the sheets,

Fig. 4 is an inside face view of the empty binder in open position, withthe prongs locked across the back, the binding being eliminated for thesake of clarity,

Fig. 5 is an end view of the empty binder in the position shown in Fig.4, but on a larger scale,

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the empty binder, but showing the covers inclosed position,

Fig. 'l is an elevation of the empty binder, but

showing the prongs in raised angular position with respect to the opencovers, to permit the sheets to be inserted on or removed from saidprongs,

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 9 is an enlargement of part of Fig. 4, and showing certain partsbroken away,

Fig. 10 is a section taken on lin Ill-l0 of Fig. 9 and Fig. 13,

Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are sections taken on lines II-Il, l2|2, l3--I3and |4--l4 of Fig. 9 respectively,

Fig. 15 is a perspective of a portion of the mechanism, interconnectingthe two rows of prongs for correlated movement, and shown in separatedposition,

Fig. 16 is a section taken on line Iii-l6 of Fig. 4, but showing asingle sheet retained on the prongs,

Fig. 17 is a perspective of a portion of the bar forming part of theinterconnecting mechanism between the two rows of prongs,

Fig. 18 is a section taken between the back and one of the covers, andshowing the binding,

Fig. 19 is a perspective showing another form of means for locking thetwo hinged members of the correlating mechanism in prong holdingposition,

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of another form of binder operatingmechanism, embodying the present invention, and shown in position inwhich the prongs are locked across the back,

Fig. 21 is a transverse section through the binder of Fig. 20, with theprongs locked across the back,

Fig. 22 is a section similar to that of Fig. 21, but showing the prongsangularly raised in position to permit removal or insertion of thesheets,

Fig. 23 is a section taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 21,

Fig. 24 is a section taken on line 24-44 of Fig. 20, but showing themechanism in the position of Fig. 22, and

Fig. 25 is a section taken on Fig. 20.

In the specific form of. the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 18, the outerbinder frame or casing includes a flat rigid non-bendable back Iii,desirably of comparatively thick cardboard, and a pair of covers II,also desirably of thick cardboard, and hinged to the respective sideedges of said back, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and more specificallyin Fig. 18. The hinge connections between the covers II and the back 59are desirably formed by the outer flexible facing sheet |2 of suitablebinding material such as Fabrikoid extending loosely across the hingegaps l3 and the inner flexible facing sheet M of similar bindingmaterial, extending with slack across said hinge gaps, the loosesections of the two facing sheets I2 and M in said gaps being adhesivelysecured together at E5 to form loose hinge connections. These bindingsheets l2 and 14 are not shown in Figs. 4 to 7, and 9 .to 13 for thesake of clarity.

Pivotally carried by each cover H is aprong holder or frame 20,comprising a longitudinal right angle bar section 2|, and a pair of endflanges 22, extending transversely thereof and pivotally connected at 23to the inner sides of brackets 24 respectively. Each. bracket 24 extendstransversely of and is rigidly connected to its respective cover H, andfor that purpose has a base flange 25, seated on said cover and affixedthereto in any suitable manner or in a manner to be hereinafterdescribed.

Rigidly connected to the upstanding leg 25 of each frame bar 2| is a rowof parallel straight sheet retaining prongs 2! of equal length, two ineach row being shown, extending transversely of said leg, and staggeredwith respect to, and overlapping the prongs 21 of the opposed rowconnected to the other frame bar 2|.

In order to permit the loose sheets, A to lie flatter and closer to theopen covers l as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 16, the upper edge of each ofthe frame legs 25 is desirably provided with a pair of substantiallysemi-circular projections 28, centrally perforated to receive the outerends of the prongs 21, the projecting portions of said prong ends beingupset to form rigid connections with said frame legs. These frameprojections 28 are sufliciently small to permit them to pass freelythrough the prong receiving apertures of the loose sheets A as shown inFig. 16, so that the portions of said sheets outwardly beyond saidframes will lie flatter and closer to their respective open covers Thelengthof the prongs 21 is such, that when the covers II are in closedposition shown in line 255 -25 of Fig. 6, each of these prongs willextend almost the full distance between the covers. In this closedposition, since the two frame bars 2| are parallel to each other andparallel to their respective covers H, the upstanding bar legs 26 willface each other and will be closely adjacent to their respective coversll, while the prongs 21 will lie in a single plane parallel to the backl8. Also in this position of the binder, the brackets 24 will have theirpivotal mountings 23 spaced inwardly from the side edges of the back I0as shown.

As the covers are swung into open position, they will carry the brackets24 with them, thereby causing their pivotal mountings 23 to moveoutwardly from the side edges of the back i0 until said covers are inthe plane of said back, as shown in Fig. 5. As these pivotal mountings23 are moved outwardly from their original position shown in Fig. 6,they will carry the prong frames 20 outwardly with respect to the sideedges ofthe back It, thereby causing transverse movement of said framesapart, and corresponding separating movement of the two rows of prongs.This operation is not sufllcient to move the two rows of prongs 2'!beyond overlapping relationship, so that while these prongs are helddownwardly in a single plane parallel to the back it the sheets will beretained on said prongs and can be turned between the covers.

As the closed covers II are opened, the sheets A are flattened out asshown in Fig. 2, causing them to apply a leverage to the prongs 27,tending to swing them upwardly about their pivotal supports 23 to theposition shown in Fig. 7.

Releasable means are provided for holding the prongs 27 in a singleplane parallel to the back it, and to confine the movement of saidprongs endwise as the binder is opened and closed. In the specific formshown, this holding means comprises .a pair of runner bars 35, welded orotherwise secured at their outer ends to the underside of the legs 36 ofthe frame bars 28?, near the middle thereof. These bars 35 are parallelto the prongs 2'? and are confined for endwise opposed movement in aguide 37, while said guide is locked in position close to the inner faceof the back I.

As an important feature of the present invention, the prong holding andguiding mechanism above described also serves as a means for correlatingthe swinging movement of the two rows of prongs about their pivotalmountings 23. For that purpose, the guide 31 comprises twochannel-shaped sections 38 and 39, hinged together 'at their inner endsby a pivot pin 48, and slidably engaging the inner ends of the bars 35to form a coupling therebetween. Each of these coupling sectionscomprises a top wall 4| and substantially parallel front and rear walls42, and the bars '35, desirably in the form of angle irons, aredisplaced from opposite sides of the longitudinal medial line of saidcoupling sections, so that one of said bars slidably nests in a cornerof one of said sections, formed between said top wall and one of saidwalls 42, while the other bar slidably nests in the opposite corner ofthe other coupling section. To hold these bars 35 in this nestedposition while the coupling members 3|! and ,39 slide over the endsthereof, the channel wall 42 of each nesting corner is formed with aninwardlyturned flange 48, forming a track for the lower edgeof the leg49 of the corresponding bar 35. Cut out from the top wall 4| of eachcoupling member, and extending into the interior thereof are tongues 50and The tongue 58 extends substantially at right angles to the top wall4| to form a guide for the edge of the leg 52 of the corresponding bar35, while the tongue 5| is turned substantially parallel to said wall toform a track seat for said leg.

When the prongs 21 are raised angularly about their pivotal mountings23- from the position shown in Fig. 5, the bars 35, being rigid with theprong frames 20, will move angularly upwardly therewith. Since the innerends of these bars 35 are coupled together by the slidable hingedconnection 31, the angular movement of these bars will be correlated.

The hinge pin 40 in the angular movement of the prongs 21 is maintainedin the central vertical plane B of the binder (Fig. 7), so that the twoopposed rows of prongs will be accurately correlated for simultaneousequal angular movement, without binding action between the bars 35 andthe slidable hinged coupling 31 thereon, and without lost motion betweenthese bars. For that purpose, the rear wall 42 of one of the couplingmembers, as for instance member 38, has an ear extension 55, to which ispivotally connected at 56 one end of a centralizing link 51, the otherend being pivotally connected at 58 to a bracket 59 secured to the innerface of the back 18. One desirable method of securing this bracket 59 tothe inner face of the back H), is to provide said bracket with a baseplate 60 seated on the inner binding sheet l4. Opposite to this bracketbase 60 on the outer bare face of the back 16, and concealed by theouter binding sheet I2 is a binding plate 6|. The two plates 60 and 6|are provided with cylindrical flanges extending in apertures in the backl0, and interlocked within said apertures as shown in Fig. 10. A similarconstruction can be used for affixin the base plates 25 of the prongholding brackets 24 to hinder plates 63.

With the correlating mechanism described, as one row of prongs 21. israised about its pivotal mountings 23, the corresponding angularmovement of its associated bar 35 rigid therewith is transmitted throughthe coupling device 31 to the other bar 35, and in turn to the other rowof prongs 21. During this angular operation the coupling member 38,through the instrumentality of the link 51, is moved along itscorresponding bar 35 towards the free end of said bar in predeterminedslide position, in accordance with the angular position of said bar, tomaintain the hinge connection 40 centrally in the vertical center planeB of the binder. This causes a corresponding slide movement of the othercoupling member 39 along its corresponding bar 35, so that the angularmovement of the two bars 35 is accurately correlated.

In order to releasably lock the two coupling sections 38 and 39 inalignment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to hold and guide the prongs 21parallel to the back I6 during opening and closing movement of thecovers N, there is provided a spring latch, operated from a springpressed lever 65, of substantial length extending along the front sideof said coupling sections. This lever 65 is in the form of an anglemember, with one flange 66 having a fixed pivot connection at 61 withthe outer end of the coupling section 38, and a slide pivot connectionat 68 with the outer end of the other coupling section 39. The otherflange 13 of the lever forms a finger piece, and is desireably curvedtransversely the full length thereof to conveniently serve this purpose.

The pivotal connections 56 and 61 of the cen-, tralizing link 51 and ofthe lever 65 respectively are desirably in axial alignment, and areadvantageously formed by a single pin 69 fastened to and extendingbetween the opposed walls 42 of the coupling section 38. The slideconnection 68 is formed by a pin 18 connected to the walls 42 of thecoupling section 39, and passing loosely through an elongated slot H inthe lever flange 66.

The lever 65 is resiliently mounted for angular movement with respect tothe coupling or guide sections 38 and 39, and for that purpose, thepivot pins 69 and 10 have end sections, which extend loosely through andforwardly of the lever flange 66, and which are encircled by coilsprings 16, pressing said flange against said coupling sections.

For locking the two coupling sections 38 and 39 in alignment shown inFigs. 5 and 6, the lever flange 66 is provided with a slit 19 near thecenter thereof just below the finger piece 13, and the metal of saidflange below said slit is pressed outwardly to form a bulge or latchtrap 80. The inner ends of the front walls 42 of the two couplingsections 38 and 39 are turned outwardly to form lugs 8|, shapedsubstantially in the form of a triangle to correspond to the shape ofthe bulge and to flt snugly therein, as shown in Fig. 14. When the twoangularly positioned coupling sections 38 and 39 are moved towardsalignment, the forward inclined edges 82 of the lugs 8| engaging theinner face of the lever flange 66 will cam said flange forwardly aboutits pivotal supports 69 and 10 until said coupling sections come intoalignment, in which position said lugs will be latched by the action ofthe springs 16 into locking engagement in the interior of the bulge 80,as shown inFig. 14. In order to release the two coupling sections 38 and39 from aligned position shown in Fig. 5 to permit swinging movement ofthe prongs 21 about their pivotal mountings 23, the finger piece isdepressed to cause angular movement of the lever 65 forwardly ordownwardly to the right from the position of Fig. 14 about the pivotalsupports 69 and 10. This causes the lugs 8| to be moved out of the bulge88, so that the two bars 35 with their associated coupling sections 38and 39 are permitted to swing angularly upward into the position showninFigs. 3 and 7. As these bars 35 are swung angularly upwardly, theywill carry the lever 65 therewith, while maintaining said leversubstantially parallel to the back I8.

In Fig. 19 is shown another form of construction for locking the twocoupling sections 38 and 39 in alignment. In this construction, thelever flange 66 is provided with a pair of slits 85, the metaltherebelow being pressed outwardly to form bulges 86, and the frontwalls 42 of the two coupling sections 38 and 39 are similarly providedwith bulges 81 respectively. When the two coupling sections 38 and 39are moved into alignment, the bulges 66 will come into registry with thebulges 81, and will be pressed by the springs 16 into nestingrelationship, so that said sections will be latched in said alignedposition for prong guiding action. In order to release the two couplingsections 38 and 39 from this aligned position, the finger piece 13 isdepressed in a manner already described.

The linkage system forming part of the correlating mechanism between thetwo rows of prongs 21 is self-locking against angular movement beyondupright position shown in Figs. 3 and '7. To resist gravitational returnmovement of this linkage system and the prongs 2'i towards the positionshown in'Fi-gfi5, especially-when the binder is empty, the lever flange65 is provided with a pair of rearwardly directed project-ions or teats88 on opposite sides of the hinge pin 40. In upright position of theprongs 21 shown in Figs. 3 and 7, these teats m -extend just directlybelow the lower edges of the coupling sections 38' and 39, and therebyprevent or resist downward angular movement of said sections; In orderthat these teats 88 do not interfere with the latching of the lever 55into locking position with respect-to the coupling 'sections-38 and 39,the frontwa-lls-H of said sections are provided respectivelywith-apertures 89 for receiving said teats in down aligned position ofsaid sections as shown in Fig. 9.

In order to avoid accidentally pinching the fingers between the hingedends of the two coupling sections 38 and during angular movement of saidsections, there is provided in the form of construction-shown in Figs. 1to 18, a finger guard 96 disposed between said sections, and formed-atone 'end of an arm 91, extending along the rear wall "42 of the couplingsection 39.-

arm 9| atone end has a fixed pivot connection to the inner end-of therear wall 42 of the coupling section 38, said connection being desirablyformed by a pin projection 93, integral with said wall and passingloosely through said arm. At the other end, the arm 9i has a slide pivotconnection with the rear wall 42 of the coupling'section 39, saidconnection being desirably formed by the pin 19 passing through anelongated slot 94' in said arm.

The finger guard 90-extends centrally between theinner ends of the twocoupling sections 38 and 39 in a plane parallel to, but slightly belowthe plane of the top wall l 'l of thecoupling section 39, in extremeangular posit-ion of the bars shown in Fig. 7", and during movemen-tofthe coupling sections towards alignment, said finger guard 98 willremain parallel to said top wall and centrally between said sections. Inthis position, the guard 90 serves to interrupt the wide hinge gapbetween the coupling sections 38 and 39, and thereby serves to preventpinching of the fingers therein. I When the two coupling sections 38 and'39 have reached alignment, the

finger-guard at will lie snugly therebetween substantia-lly in the planeof the top walls i-l thereof, as shown in Figs. "4,9 and Ill.

The finger guard SO-serves not only for the safety purpose set forth,but in conjunction with the bars 35 also serves to lock the binder inopen position,- while the prongs 21 are in angular position with respectto the'covers I I shown in Fig. 7. Any closing action of the covers H inthis position of the prongs will cause the free inner ends of the bars35 to move beyond the inner ends of their respective coupling sections38 and 39, but this bar projecting movement will be limited by theblocking action of the finger guard 90 on said bar ends. Thus the backand open covers form a comparatively rigid or stiff support, so that thebinder may be carried from place to place, held in the lap, or otherwisesupported or handled without danger or injury to the sheets.

Means are provided for locking the covers ll against outward angularmovement beyond the position shown in Fig. '7. For that purpose, theedges of the bar legs 52 are slitted to form catches 98 respectively asshown in Figs. 8 and 17, these catches being in the form of tongues bentdownwardly from the plane of said legs, and adapted in binder positionshown in Fig. 7 to engage the tongues 5| respectively. Any outwardmovement of the :covers ll beyond open position shown will urgecorresponding lengthwise movement of the bars 35, but this lattermovement will be prevented by the catch arrangement above referred to.

In order that the provision of the tongue catches 96 does not interferewith the assembly of the bars '35 in their respective coupling sections38 and 39, the slitted but unbent bars 35 are-first assembled in saidsections, and the slitted portions, While exposed through the cutouts 98of the tongues 59, punched downwardly to form the desired catches.

When the prongs 21 aredown, in the position shown in Fig. 5, the outwardangular movement of the open covers I! is resisted by the span of thebars 35 across the cover hinge connections. 7 Although the operation ofthe binder shown in Figs. 1 to 1-8 is believed apparent from theforegoing description, it is herein summarized briefly.

Inclosed position of the binder shown in Fig. 6,

': the prongs 27 extend in a single plane parallel to the back l0. Whenthe covers II are opened into the plane of the back into the positionshown in Figs; 2 and 5, the prong frames 20 are moved transversely apartcausing endwise movement of 3 the prongs 2?. During this self-expansionof the binder, the guide or coupling sections 38 and 33 are locked inalignment near the back H] by the lever 65, so that therunner bars 35sliding in said guide sections will confine the expanding movement 0fthe prongs '2! to an endwise one parallel to said back. At this point,it should be noted that-either cover H may be-opened independently ofthe other as shown in Fig. 1, to cause corresponding transverse movementof the respective prong frame 20 Without affecting the other prongframe.

' Theswinging movement of the covers ll into open or "closed positioncauses angular movement of the brackets 2 and corresponding angularmovement of the pivotal mountings 23. Since the hinge connections areformed by the fabric binding sheets 12 and "Hi and are consequentlyflexible, they will give or yield as the covers II are opened or closed,thereby eliminating undesirable stresses on the-prong guiding mechanism35, 31, caused by the angular movement of the pivotal mountings 28referred to. Furthermore, it should be noted that the guide member 3'!is not rigidly secured to the back It, but has a limited floating actionwith respect thereto, thereby relieving stress on the hinge connectionsbetween the covers l I and back It), caused by angular movement of thepivotal mountings.

When it is desired to insert or remove a sheet, the sheet pack A of theopen binder is divided at the section where it is desired to insert orremove the sheet. In order to gain access to the leVer65, the two sheetbatches are divided a sufiicient distance apart to clear the overlappingends of the prongs .23'. The lever 65 is then depressed asalreadydescribed. Since the lever is located at the center of the-binderbelow the inner edges of the sheetsyA, it is accessible for operationonly when the 'binder is open, and only ifter the sheets have beendivided into two widely separated batches on the prongs of therespective rows. This assures against tearing of thesheets around theirprong receiving apertures, caused by the accidental upward swingingo'fthe two released prong rows apart before the separation of the sheetpack as described.

Since the lever finger piece l3 extends across a substantial portion ofthe width of the back, and since the lever is accessible for operationby the separation of the sheet pack at any section above said lever,this construction permits separation of the sheet pack at that sectionwhere it is desired to remove or insert a sheet, even though saidsection may be near either end of the pack.

The depression of the lever finger piece I3 releases the couplingsections 38 and 39, so that the two rows of prongs 21 are permitted toswing simultaneously upwardly beyond overlapping position as shown inFigs. 3 and '7 In this position, the free ends of the two rows of prongs2'! are separated to permit passage of the loose sheets from the spacetherebetween, but are som ciently close together to permit convenienttransfer of sheets'from one row of prongs to the other.

The top walls 4| of the coupling sections 38 and 39 are so spaced fromthe corresponding rows of prongs 21 parallel thereto, that the inneredges of the loose sheets reach said walls when impaled on said prongs,and when extending at right angles to said prongs as shown in Fig. 3with reference to sheet batch A. The inner ends of these top walls 4 Iextend substantially in line with the inner ends of correspondingprongs'2I, so that in the operation of impaling the loose sheets A onthese prongs, the central section of the inner edges of said sheets isguided over said top walls, thereby facilitating this impalingoperation.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. to 25, the runner bars 35aare flat, with their outer ends I inclined upwardly, and secured bywelding or the like to the underside of correspondingly inclined legs33a respectively of prong frames 20a.

The coupling or guide sections 3811 and 39a slidably engage the freeends of the bars a, and

are hinged together by the pivot pin 40a. The

front wall 42a of the coupling section 38a and the rear wall 42a of thecoupling section 3% are provided at their lower ends with inturnedflanges 48a, forming tracks for the bars 35a, and the top walls Ma areprovided with cut-out inturned tongues 50a and 5Ia for retaining andguiding said sections for sliding movement on said bars.

The latch lever 65a, instead of being resiliently supported on thecoupling sections 38a and 39a in the lower section of said lever as inthe construction of Figs. 1 to 18, is resiliently supported at 690, and10a near the upper section thereof, so that the springs 16a urging saidlever against said coupling sections will be compressed sub stantiallyequally about their entire circumference when the finger piece 13a isdepressed. Also, the pivot pins 69a and 10a are mounted in upstandingears IIII of the coupling sections cutout from the top walls Ma thereof,and do not extend across said sections, a separate pin I82 beingprovided for the pivot connection between the link 51 and a dependingear I33 of the coupling section 38a.

In order to prevent the extension of the ends of the latch lever 65ainto interference with the inner edges of the prong retained sheets, inupright position of the prongs 21 shown in Fig. 22, the lever flange6601 has elongated slots I04 and IE5 at opposite ends through which thepivot pins 69a and Illa respectively extend. The pivotal slideconnection formed at both ends of the lever 6541 causes the endwisemovement of said lever with respect to the coupling sections 38a and 39ain both directions as the bars 35a are raised, so that neither end ofsaid lever will extend too far towards the plane of the correspondingrow of prongs 21. If'desired, the slots I04 and IE5 may be of unequallengths to permit the lever 65a to move further in one endwise directionthan in the other with respect to the coupling sections. g

In order to prevent accidental pinching of the fingers between the twocoupling sections 38a and 39a, said sections are formed at their innerends with substantially sector-shaped. enlargements I06 respectively,having circular flanges I61 extending from their upper walls, andconcentric with the hinge pin 40a to serve as finger guards. Theseextensions I0! are of slightly different radii of curvature, and slidein overlapping relation during angular movement of the bars 35a to serveas shutter gates, closing the hinge gap between the two couplingsections 38a. and 39a in any angular position of said bars. The shuttersIII-I are so spaced from the plane of the corresponding rowof'prongs 21,that they serve as guides for the inner edges of the loose sheets asthey are impaled on said prongs.

For locking the two coupling sections 38a and 39a in alignment shown inFigs. 20,21 and 23, the front walls I ll] of the segments W5 haveintegral therewith reversely bent lugs III, adapted to be latched in anindentation I I2 formed in the lever flange 66a. The doubled overconstruction of the lugs III serves to increase the bearing surface atthe upper edge of said lugs, without projecting said lugs too farforwardly of the coupling sections. 7

For locking the open covers against I further outward movement beyondthe position shown in Fig. 22,-the inner edge portion of each bar 35a isprovided'with a pair of transverse slits II3 defining a tongue I I4therebetween, bent out of the plane of said bars to form catches forabutting engagement with the guide tongues 5Ia respectively.

For locking the open covers II against closing movement when the prongs21 are in upright position shown in Fig. 22, the free ends II6 of thebars 35a are capable of being extended beyond the hinge pin 40a inopposite directions, and the outer sides of said bars are provided withnotches II'I forming shoulders H8. The lower edges of the front wallsIII] of the coupling sections 38a and 39a are provided with inturnedflanges H9, the Width of which is smaller than the width of the notchesI I1.

Assuming that the binder is in position shown in Fig. 24 with the coversII in the plane of the back, if one of the covers II should be closed,as for instance the right hand cover,'-before the bars 35a are moveddownwardly into locked position across the back I0,'then the right hand,bar 35a will move obliquely upwardly towards the left from the positionshown in Fig. 24, until the shoulder II8 thereof abuts the inturnedflange I I9 on the coupling section 38a. In this abutting position, theextremefree end of the right hand bar 35a will be spaced from theshutter gates I01, so that undesirable strain on said gates resultingfrom accidental closing of the covers II will not be transmitted to saidgates. The notches II! in the bars 35aclear the inturned flanges II9when said bars are angularly moved downwardly towards the back In, sothat said flanges do not interfere with the projecting free end sectionsI I6 of said bars during said movement.

The teats 88a in the lever flange 66a serve the same function as theteats 88 inthe construction of Figs. 1 to 18, except that in alignedposition of the coupling sections 38a and 39a shown in Figs. 20 and 21,said teats 88a extend above the walls Ala of said sections and not inapertures formed in the front walls of said sections as in the otherform described.

The operation of the binder shown in Figs. 20 to 25 is similar to thatof the binder shown in Figs. 1 to 19.

Although the members 35 and 35a in both binder constructions are shownin the form of solid bars, and the coupling members in the form ofchannels, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned,these members may assume other suitable forms. For instance, the members35 and 35a may be, in the form of tubular bars, and the couplingsections merely rods, slidably extending in said bars and connectedtogether for relative angular movement.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, andmanyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention couldbe-made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire.tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, and meansinterconnecting said rows for-correlated simultaneous pivotal movementin opposite directions, and including a pair of opposed members, rigidwith but spaced from said prongs, and a coupling for said membersslidable along one of said members, and mounted for pivotal actionwithrespect to the other.

2. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining. prongs, andconnecting means for insuring, simultaneous movement of said rowsinopposite directions, and in.- cluding a pair of opposed bars, each rigidwithand substantially parallel to a corresponding, prong row, and acou-pling-slidabl-y-mounted on bothbars.

3. A sheet retaining device for a loose .leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed rowsof pivotally mounted sheet retain-ing prongs, apair ofopposed bars swingable with sasi'd prong rows, members slidable alongsaid bars and pivotally connected together, whereby the pivotal movementof said prong rows-iscorrelated, and releasable means for looking saidbars; and prongs against said pivotal movement.

4. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair ofopposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, mounted for pivotal movementfrom a plane substantiallycommon to all of said prongs, and for movementin said plane substantially endwise of said prongs, apairof opposed barsswingable with said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidablealong said bars and pivotally connected together, whereby the pivotalmovement of said prong rows is correlated, and releasable means forlocking said sections against relative angular movement-when said tworows of prongs are substantially in said plane, to guidesaid prongsiorsubstantially endwise movement.

5. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprisinga pairofopposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, mounted for pivotal movementfrom a plane substantially common to all of said prongs, and movableendwise in said plane, a pair of opposed bars, each rigid with andsubstantially parallel to a corresponding prong row, channelshapedcoupling sections slidable along said bars respectively, and pivotallyconnected together at their inner ends, whereby the pivotal movement ofsaid prong rows is correlated, and a lock for normally holding saidsections against relative angular movement, to guide said prongs duringtheir endwise movement.

6. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair ofopposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, mounted for pivotal movementfrom a plane substantially common to all of said prongs, said prong rowsbeing movable in opposite directions in said plane substantially endwiseof said prongs, a pair of opposed bars, each rigid with andsubstantially parallel to a corresponding prong row, a pair of pivotallyconnected sections slidable along said bars respectively, and a latchlever carried by said sections for locking them against relative angularmovement, said lever in released position being movable with saidsections in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of thelever.

7. Mechanism for correlating the simultaneous and opposite swingingmovement of the opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs of a loose leafbinder, comprising a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prongs, acoupling section slidable along each of said bars, pivotal connectionsbetween said sections, and a releasable latch pivotally connected toboth of said sections to permit of their relative movement, and movabletoward and from said sections for permitting or preventing relativeangular movement of said sections.

8. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair ofopposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, couplingsections slidable along said bars respectively and pivotally connectedtogether, whereby the pivotal movement of said prong rows is correlated,and a releasable latch lever, pivotally supported on said sections forlocking said sections against relative angular movement, said leverhaving a flange spring pressed against said sections, and a flangeserving as a finger piece for operation of said lever, said first flangeand said sections having interlocking latch parts releasable by angularmovement of said lever about its pivotal supports.

9. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, and meansswingable with said prong rows, for correlating the pivotal movement ofsaid rows in opposite directions, said means having parts spaced fromsaid prong rows for guiding the central section of the inner edge of aloose sheet as said sheet is being impaled on either prong row.

10. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair ofopposed bars rigid with said prong rows respectively for swingingmovement therewith, and coupling sections slidable along said barsrespectively and hinged together to correlate the swinging movement ofsaid prongs, the inner ends of each section being so spaced from theplane of its corresponding prong row as to serve as a guide for thecentral portion of the inner edge.

of a loose leaf as it is being impaled on the prongs of said latter row.j

11. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair ofopposed bars, rigid with said prong rows 'respectively for swingingmovement therewith, coupling sections slidable along said barsrespectively and pivotally connected together, and a centralizing linkpivotally connected to one of said sections, for correlating theslidable movement of said sections along said bars in accordance withthe angular position of said bars.

12. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hingedthereto, two opposed rows of pivotally mounted sheet retaining prongsnormally extending in the same plane across the back, means guiding saidprongs for endwise movement in said plane, and means for interconnectingsaid two rows of prongs for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement inopposite directions, and including a centralizing link pivotallysupported on the inner face of said back for equalizing the angularmovement of the two prong rows.

13. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hingedthereto, two opposed rows of pivotally mounted sheet retaining prongsnormally extending across said back, a pair of opposed bars swingablewith said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along saidbars respectively and pivotally connected together, whereby pivotalmovement of said prong rows is correlated, and a centralizing linkpivotally supported on the inner face of said back, and on one of saidcoupling sections for equalizing the angular movement of the two prongrows.

14. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, the prongsof one row overlapping the prongs of the other row when said prongs areall in a substantially co-extensive plane, means guiding said prongs forendwise movement in said plane, and means interconnecting said two rowsfor correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions,said means including a linkage system, self-locking in a position, inwhich the two rows of prongs are inclined with respect to each otherbeyond overlapping relationship.

15. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs mounted for pivotal movement,a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively,coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively, and pivotallyconnected together to effect correlated movement of said prong rows, anda finger guard between said coupling sections to prevent accidentalpinching of the fingers between said sections during the angularmovement thereof.

16. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, the prongs of one rownormally overlapping the prongs of the other row at their inner freeends, said prong rows being mounted for pivotal movement beyondoverlapping relationship, a pair of opposed bars swingable with saidprong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along said barsrespectively, and pivotally connected together to correlate the angularmovement of said bars in opposite directions, and means for locking saidbars against endwise movement in one direction in their respectivecoupling sections, when said bars have reached a position in'whi'ch saidprong rows are beyond'overlapping relationship.

17. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair"of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair ofopposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively,'couplingsections slidable along said bars respectively and pivotally connectedtogether to correlate the pivotal movement of said prong rows, and afinger. guard between said coupling sections to prevent accidentalpinching of the fingers therebetween during angular movement thereof,said finger guard being in position to block endwise movement of saidbars when said bars have reached extreme angular positions.

18. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair ofopposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, couplingsections slidable along said bars respectively and hinged together attheir inner ends, whereby pivotal movement of said prong rows iscorrelated, and a finger guard extending between said coupling sectionssubstantially parallel with and transversely spaced from the hinge axis,said finger guard serving to interrupt the hinge gap between saidcoupling sections in extreme angular position of said sections, andserving in its other extreme position to substantially close the gapbetween said sections.

19. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs mounted for pivotal movement,a pair of members swingable with'said prong rows respectively, andhinged together to correlate the pivotal movement of said prong rows,and a curved finger guard substantially concentric with the hinge axis,and connected to the inner end of one of said coupling sections forclosing the hinge gap between said sections.

20. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs mounted for pivotal movement,a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively,coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively and hingedtogether at their inner ends, whereby pivotal movement of said prongrows is correlated, and finger guard means for preventing accidentalpinching of the fingers between the inner ends of said sections, andincluding flange extensions on the inner ends of said coupling sectionsrespectively, concentric with the axis of the hinge and movable inoverlapping relationship in the form of a shutter.

21. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, and meansinterconnecting said rows for correlated simultaneous pivotal movementin opposite directions, and including a pair of members swingable withsaid prong rows respectively and pivotally connected together, and meansfor moving one of said members endwise during relative an-- gularmovement between said members.

22. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pairof opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, and meansinterconnecting said rows for correlated simultaneous pivotal movementin opposite directions, and including a pair of members swingable withsaid prong rows respectively, and pivotally connected together, andmeansfor moving both of said members substantially parallel to theplanes or the two prong rows respectively during relative angularmovement of said members.

23. A loose leaf binder comprising a casing, including anon-extensible-back and a pair of covers hinged thereto, a pair ofopposed rows of sheet retaining'prongs, mounted on said casing forpivotal movement and for movement substantially endwiseof said prongs, apair of opposed bars, each rigid with-and substantially parallel to acorresponding prong row, and coupling means between said barsinterconnecting said barsfor simultaneous angular movement thereof, andguiding said bars for substantial endwise movement. p

' CLARENCE W. VOGT.

